Surfer and activist Dave Rastovich wraps up epic NZ paddle

A PROFESSIONAL surfer and activist has just completed a 350km sea paddle from Cape Taranaki to Piha in New Zealand to raise awareness about the threatened stretch of coastline.

Dave Rastovich, 32, who was born in New Zealand but lives in Australia, was greeted by a crowd of a few hundred people when he came ashore at Piha Beach on Saturday afternoon.

"I don't think I've had a more emotional experience coming out of the ocean in my entire life," he told AAP.

The aim of the two-week journey was to raise awareness about the threat posed to the North Island's west coast by seabed mining and, in particular, what impact that might have on the critically endangered Maui's dolphin.

But there were other reasons for the paddle.

"I also wanted to do this to reconnect with my roots," he said.

"I was born in New Zealand and the first beach I ever came to was Piha.

"I feel like I've been put through the wringer the last couple of weeks dealing with all these incredible swells and wild river mouths and currents."

Mr Rastovich also managed to injure himself just 50km into the paddle when he was thrown off his board near Paritutu Rock, off the coast of Taranaki.

Although the paddle was physically demanding, Mr Rastovich said he felt energised by the experience.

"Right now my shoulders are just on fire," he said.

"My eyeballs feel like they're falling out of my head and my skin's burnt and my nose is peeling.

"But then the other part of me, my heart, feels really full and my spirit is really strong."

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